Flender had set off as soon as the Titan Giant Ape appeared.
When he landed steadily, Dai Mubai and the others arrived as well.
"You... you're their teacher too?"
Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang was somewhat surprised to see the seven Soul Rings around Flender.
"This junior is Flender, level seventy-eight, with the Cat Owl Martial Soul. My respects to the Peerless Dragon Snake!"
Dragon Duke Meng Shu studied Flender closely. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Shrek Academy, a level seventy-eight Cat Owl Martial Soul, and an acquaintance of the Immovable Wisdom King... could you be that Flender from the renowned Golden Iron Triangle?"
Flender pushed up his glasses and said modestly, "Yes, but this junior has long since withdrawn from that world. I currently live at Shrek Academy."
Meng Shu frowned and discussed the matter with Chao Tianxiang for quite some time.
He said, "Then how about this? For the Golden Iron Triangle's sake, I'll let Tang San compete against Yiran. But if Tang San loses, he must kneel and kowtow in apology! He must also pay ten thousand Gold Soul Coins!"
"That's..." Flender was just about to reject these tyrannical terms.
But Tang San stepped forward.
First, he bowed to Zhao Wuji and Flender in thanks, then said firmly, "Dean Flender, Teacher Zhao, please rest assured. I can definitely win!"
"Xiao San, are you a hundred percent certain you can win?" Still worried, Flender sought confirmation once more.
Tang San nodded. "When Chen An and Meng Yiran first started competing, I already knew I could absolutely beat her!"
"All right!"
"In that case, we can all rest easy!" Flender patted Tang San's shoulder, his mind put at ease as though he had swallowed a calming pill.
"Hey!"
"Hurry up! You're not scared, are you, Tang San?!"
Meng Yiran was seething with pent-up frustration and wanted a punching bag to vent on.
"Then, Senior, please tell us what the contest involves!" Tang San looked composed, without the slightest trace of panic.
Dragon Duke Meng Shu chuckled. "Not bad, young man. I hope you'll remain just as composed in a moment."
"It's simple. You'll compete in technique, speed, and reflexes. Here are thirty-two Soul-Breaking Blades, sixteen for each of you. I'll shake the leaves off that distant tree. Strike while the leaves are drifting through the air. As long as the Soul-Breaking Blades lodge in the trunk, whoever pierces the most leaves wins!"
Meng Yiran froze for a moment after hearing this.
She took out her Soul-Breaking Blades and said to Meng Shu with some dissatisfaction, "Grandpa, this... this is clearly what I came up with!"
The two held their breath and focused.
They keenly sensed the flow of air and the changes in the surrounding presence.
Just as Meng Shu was about to announce the start.
Tang San suddenly called for a pause.
He produced a strip of black cloth from somewhere and tied it over his eyes.
Meng Yiran gave a dry chuckle.
Even showing off takes real ability. Otherwise, that slap to the face is going to hurt.
"Begin!"
Dragon Duke Meng Shu stamped his Dragon Staff, and a small burst of pressure shook the tree with a loud rustle.
Countless leaves instantly fluttered down.
Tang San and Meng Yiran struck almost simultaneously.
Several sharp whooshes rang out.
Multiple Soul-Breaking Blades shot forth together, piercing through the leaves before lodging firmly in the trunk.
Meng Yiran's expression was calm, and the way she withdrew her hands revealed her considerable proficiency.
Everyone present followed her gaze.
They discovered that each of her sixteen blades was strung full of leaves.
"Ah... I never imagined Meng Yiran's technique would be this heaven-defying!" Oscar couldn't help sucking in a cold breath after seeing it. Good thing I didn't tell Tang San to add a condition that Meng Yiran had to give him a kiss if he won. Otherwise, this would be embarrassing enough to die!
"This... how could this happen?"
"I clearly..."
Seeing that there wasn't a single leaf on any of his blades.
Tang San was utterly stunned.
At the thought of having to kowtow in apology shortly, and pay ten thousand Gold Soul Coins as well.
His face instantly turned deathly pale, and his right hand clenched the black blindfold tightly.
"Well, well!"
"Simply miraculous, Tang San! With that little skill, you still wanted to look cool and show off?!"
Meng Yiran had genuinely been half doubtful at first, but it turned out she had worried too much.
She even suspected that Tang San was inferior to Chen An, whose Soul Rings were all white ten-year rings.
After all, when facing Chen An's Soul Skill, she truly could feel a deathlike presence.
"I, I..."
"Senior, could we compete one more time?"
Tang San refused to believe this reflected his ability and suspected that something had gone wrong somewhere.
Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang snorted coldly. "Impossible. Honor the terms right now. Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins, and kowtow in apology!!!"
Everyone from Shrek turned away at the sight.
They still intended to preserve some of Tang San's dignity.
"Sister Rongrong, you look so pretty today!" Chen An suddenly appeared beside Ning Rongrong.
She glanced at him and snapped, "When did you pop up? And what does my beauty have to do with you?!"
Chen An's eyes darted about as he teased, "That'll make you look even better when you dance."
"Chen An!!!"
"I'm telling you, if you dare tell anyone about this, you'll be knocking on death's door!"
Ning Rongrong leaned close to Chen An's ear and spoke in an angry, faintly threatening voice.
"Okay, okay! I was wrong, I was wrong." Chen An apologized with a smile.
He secretly adjusted his position while watching Tang San.
"Ahem!"
"This junior, Flender, will pay Tang San's ten thousand Gold Soul Coins. Could we forget about the kowtowing?"
Meng Yiran planted both hands on her hips and chuckled. "Tang San, a man keeps his word. Don't make me look down on you!"
Zhao Wuji also tried to salvage the situation. "How about we add another thousand Gold Soul Coins and forget about the kowtowing?"
Snake Duke and Snake Granny said nothing.
They watched Tang San quietly, as though waiting for his choice.
"I..."
"A bet is a bet. I'll kneel!!!"
Before Flender and Zhao Wuji could stop him, Tang San dropped heavily onto both knees.
"Alas!"
The two shook their heads, then turned away.
About a minute passed.
Only then did Meng Yiran let Tang San go, thoroughly satisfied.
"Teacher Zhao, I..."
Zhao Wuji nodded silently and patted Tang San's shoulder in comfort.
Seeing that the dust had settled, Flender also transformed into a Cat Owl and flew away.
Serves you right!
God King Tang, I never thought you'd have a day like this. What sweet relief!
Watching Tang San kowtow left Chen An feeling thoroughly pleased and satisfied.
"Hmm? What's so soft?"
Chen An turned his head and discovered that he had accidentally bumped into Zhu Zhuqing.
"Sorry, sorry."
He apologized repeatedly while looking toward Dai Mubai.
He saw Dai Mubai gritting his teeth and clenching his fists.
He was clearly furious at Chen An's lecherous behavior.
Tch!
What's with that look? You think you're worthy of Zhu Zhuqing?
You'd better not provoke me. If I'm in a good mood one day and take a fancy to that cool, aloof beauty, you won't even have anywhere to cry!
Zhu Zhuqing wasn't angry either.
She merely gave Chen An a look for him to interpret.
"Let's go!"
"We still have things to do."
Zhao Wuji waved his hand and told Dai Mubai to continue leading the group forward.
The corners of Chen An's mouth lifted.
Rather than follow the group, he prepared to collect his fee for the favor just now.
Why, you ask?
Did you really think Meng Yiran could beat God King Tang?
No, no, no...
That was because your Brother Chen was helping you in secret, my little Sister Yiran!
Chen An thought he wouldn't ask for too much.
Money, women, whatever-just a "pile" of each would do!
As long as it felt good, that was enough!